The present invention provides a method for stabilizing a fractured bone. The method includes positioning an elongate rod in the medullary canal of the fractured bone and forming a passageway through the cortex of the bone. The passageway extends from the exterior surface of the bone to the medullary canal of the bone. The method also includes creating a bonding region on the elongate rod. The bonding region is generally aligned with the passageway of the cortex. Furthermore, the method includes positioning a fastener in the passageway of the cortex and on the bonding region of the elongate rod and thermally bonding the fastener to the bonding region of the elongate rod while the fastener is positioned in the passageway of the cortex.

A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.

An anchor for attaching injured soft tissue to a bone and generating a therapeutic electromagnetic field at least in a part of the soft tissue when the soft tissue is sutured to the anchor, the anchor comprising: a) an affixing portion configured for affixing the anchor to the bone; b) a coil that generates the electromagnetic field when a current runs through it; c) an electronics module that controls the current in the coil; and d) an electric power source that provides electric power to the electronics module and the coil.

A method for securing a strand to a fixation member for arthroscopic fixation, wherein the fixation member includes a channel on an exterior surface and an aperture therethrough. The method includes passing a strand having first and second ends through a flexible sleeve, passing the sleeve through the aperture of the fixation member in a first direction, tensioning the strand, and pulling the sleeve in a second direction different than the first direction to secure the sleeve to the fixation member without tying the strand on the fixation member.

Provided is a suture anchor 10 for securing soft tissue 12 to bone 6. The suture anchor 10 comprises a strip 14 having first and second end portions 16 and 18 and a central portion 20 therebetween. Each end portion 16 and 18 defines an inner and an outer aperture 22 and 24, said central portion 20 defining a central aperture 21 and transverse lines of weakness 26 longitudinally on either side of said central aperture 21. A suture 28 is operatively threadable through the strip 14 such that the end portions 16 and 18 fold onto each other via the lines of weakness 26 to complementarily define a clasp portion 30 with the central portion 20 defining an expansion portion 32. In use, tensioning of the suture 28 urges the expansion portion 32 into an expanded position and clasps said suture 28 to the clasp portion 30.

A suture anchoring system having an implant body that defines a bore space extending longitudinally about a central axis from a proximal end to a distal end of the implant body. A tapering interference portion is provided on an interior surface of the implant body and extends into the bore space, the taper being toward the central axis of the implant body bore space from the proximal end to the distal end of the implant body. An anchor has a threaded anchor portion extending therefrom and defines a threaded bore, where the extended threaded anchor portion configured to be received in the bore space of the implant body. A slot is defined in the threaded anchor portion, the slot configured to receive the interference portion of the implant body; and a threaded plug is configured to be received in the threaded bore of the anchor.

An anchor device and system for coupling soft tissue to osseous tissue includes a stopper member that supports a loop of suture material. A fixing member includes features that allow it to be rigidly coupled to surrounding bone and thus hold the stopper member in a cavity within the bone. The loop of suture material, in turn, supports a second suture device, which is coupled to, and thus retains, the soft tissue. In certain embodiments, the fixing member includes a wadding structure having a generally elastic property.

Methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue capture anchor is described that comprises an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and spreader and inside surfaces of a bone hole to secure the tissue within the hole. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. The spreader captures tissue via a suture loop at the distal end of the bone anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the anchor into bone and move the spreader within the anchor to expand the anchor and capture the tissue between the anchor and the bone. Methods are described that allow use of single bone anchor to secure tissue to bone or also to use more than one bone anchor to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.

Disclosed herein are methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue anchoring device is described that comprises an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and inside surfaces of a bone tunnel to secure the tissue within the tunnel. Methods are described that enable use of the bone anchoring device to secure a tissue graft into the tibial and femoral bones during anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”) reconstruction.

Methods and devices for securing soft tissue to a rigid material such as bone. A tissue capture anchor is described that comprises an anchor body and a spreader such that tissue may be captured or compressed between outside surfaces on the anchor and spreader and inside surfaces of a bone hole to secure the tissue within the hole. A bone anchor is described that comprises an anchor body with expandable tines and a spreader that expands the tines into bone. The spreader captures tissue via a suture loop at the distal end of the bone anchor. Also described is an inserter that can be used to insert the anchor into bone and move the spreader within the anchor to expand the anchor and capture the tissue between the anchor and the bone. Methods are described that allow use of single bone anchor to secure tissue to bone or also to use more than one bone anchor to provide multiple lengths of suture material to compress a large area of soft tissue against bone.